Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow :-

Plant breeders aim to create new and improved varieties by crossing different species, and sometimes even genera, to combine desirable traits. To achieve successful crossbreeding, it is crucial to ensure that only the intended pollen grains are used for pollination, while also protecting the stigma from any unintended contamination. This careful selection and controlled pollination process helps breeders create commercially superior varieties with specific traits.

Which of the following is the major approach in crop improvement programme?

Artificial hybridisation

The correct answer is option (2)- Artificial hybridisation

Artificial hybridization: This involves controlled crossbreeding between different individuals or populations to create hybrids with desired traits. It typically involves the manual transfer of pollen from the male reproductive organs (anthers) of one plant to the female reproductive organ (stigma) of another. By combining the genetic material from different parents, breeders can introduce new traits or improve existing ones in the offspring. Artificial hybridisation is one of the major approaches of crop improvement programme

Outbreeding devices: These are natural mechanisms developed by plants (like pollen release and stigma receptivity not being synchronized) to discourage self-pollination and encourage cross-pollination in the wild. While they promote genetic diversity, they are not a human-led "approach" for specific crop improvement.

Interbreeding (Inbreeding) depression: This is actually a negative consequence of continuous self-pollination, which reduces fertility and productivity—the opposite of what a breeder wants.